Alex McCurthy
In May, Chris Pratt revealed that he wept over his new movie project as he read the script for the sci-fi The Electric State, which will feature humans and robots living in a futuristic world. The film adaptation comes from an illustrated novel by Simon Stålenhag; it’s the story of family, loss, and strength alongside Millie Bobby Brown.
Pratt shared his emotional reaction to the script of the movie at New York Comic Con, admitting that it felt fresh in comparison to most blockbuster films being produced now. Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, some of whose best work has been Marvel hits, Pratt praised the work for its originality.
Speaking of his experience reading the script, Pratt said: “It’s not the kind of thing that typically gets made to be a blockbuster-style movie like this. It’s so original, it’s a huge swing. I thought that these types of movies might be my last opportunity to be in a big movie like this. I have to look at every opportunity like that. And I did.”. This is such an amazing story. I had tears in my eyes reading it. “
The film is actually the adaptation of Brown’s novel, a narration of the life of the protagonist, Michelle, in the society where, at first, friendly robots lived peacefully with their human contemporaries but were then exiled because they have staged a failed rebellion, and now Michelle goes searching for her brother whom she thought was dead. Cosmo is a robot whose human brother used to work her. She is Michelle’s guide. Among those she has in tow are Keats, Pratt, smuggler, and his robot sidekick Herman. Played by Anthony Mackie, they travel through the Exclusion Zone, a highly dangerous area rife with robocalypse.
Combining the emotional heart of the movie with the science fiction backdrop, it may have really captured something in Pratt. The Electric State offers the genre a new take as it now connects the broken families and disconnections through futuristic technology. Director Joe Russo, who co-wrote the film with his brother, opines, “Those ideas really fueled the movie for us.”.
“It felt like a story about broken families and broken people trying to find each other in a broken world,” Russo said in an interview with Vanity Fair. He added that the theme of living in a technology-driven world felt especially relevant today. However, by making it a dystopian future instead of today, Russo reflects that it gives the audience a different way to process the message, thus that of timeless and reflective quality.
The Electric State also features some Hollywood big-name co-stars, including Brown and Mackie. Here are a few more notable cast members for this movie: Ke Huy Quan, winner of an Academy Award; Giancarlo Esposito, of The Boys ; and Stanley Tucci, of The Hunger Games. This ensemble cast along with the direction of the Russo brothers gives way to what is sure to be a thrilling as well as stunning adventure.
*The Electric State also boasts a very effective score, as the first teaser trailer has the cover of Oasis’s “Champagne Supernova” over the futuristic world being portrayed, creating an eerie, nostalgic atmosphere. With the teaser already generating buzz, it will be one exciting film to go to with depth in its emotion, phenomenal visual effects, and adventure and sci-fi elements promising fun once delivered to the public.
Having done big films, the Russo brothers directed some of the most successful Marvel films to date, like Avengers: Endgame. But in The Electric State, they seem to be going for a personal, emotionally-driven film with a wide-scale and visually stunning one that they are supposed to deliver for audiences.
Perhaps Pratt, who is popularly known for his work in action blockbusters such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, has actually struck something special. The enthusiasm from Pratt about The Electric State says that it will be touching the audience’s hearts as much as it will entertain them with action and visuals.
Fans of Pratt, Brown, and the Russo brothers may just enjoy this exciting new film, as it hits Netflix on March 14. With its very talented star-studded cast, poignant storyline, and mind-blowing visuals, The Electric State is shaping up to be one of the most-anticipated film releases of the year.
